LA County Sheriff's Deputy Pleads No Contest To Lewd Act With Teenage Girl

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Before his trial could begin, a veteran Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy pleaded no contest Tuesday to a lewd act with a 15-year-old girl whose family he knew socially.

John Augustus Rose II, 44, faces three years in state prison at his sentencing scheduled for Nov. 26. He is also expected to be ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Rose pleaded no contest to one felony count each of committing a lewd act on a child and possession of matter depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct. Eleven other sex-related charges against him are expected to be dismissed when he is sentenced next month.

A 22-year veteran of the Sheriff's Department, Rose was relieved of duty in September 2013 and placed at home without pay the following month. The charges were filed about a year later against Rose, who met the girl through her family.

At a hearing last year, Rose's attorney told a judge that Rose was a "hero to the community" who had received many awards. His honors include a Medal of Valor for rescuing a woman trapped in her cabin by the 2002 Curve fire in San Gabriel Canyon.

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